Born in the Magaliesburg mountains in 1974, Grant Reed was raised with a love for birds, snakes and all things African, a passion passed on from his paternal grandfather and father.

Grant’s run-in with snakes came earlier in life on his eighteenth birthday when he was bitten by a puff-adder and ended up spending six months in and out of hospital. Having survived hospital and the puff-adder bite Grant continues to be passionate about snakes and to this day he still lectures interested parties on snakes and snakebite.

A consummate naturalist, Grant’s interests include such diverse subjects as dragonflies, birds, butterflies and wildflowers. He is widely considered to be one of Botswana’s top guides.

Grant earned a Bachelor of Technology Degree from Pretoria Technikon, the FGASA (Field Guides Association of Southern Africa) Level III certificate and a several other specialist qualifications, which combined are similar to earning a Master’s Degree, or much more, in wildlife conservation. This, together with his practical, on-the-ground expertise, is truly invaluable to the mission of ElephantRescue.net.

Grant is also a founding director of Letaka Safaris and of Okavango Guiding School. A large portion of his passionate energy is directed to the training and development of guides in Botswana. He lives outside Maun on the banks of the Thamalakane River with his wife Trudi and his sons, Merrick and Ross.